Meet-A-Member

Whether you have years of experience or are new to the industry, REIBC is your key to career advancement and connection with the real estate industry. Professional members have achieved the RI designation, which provides employers and clients with instant confirmation of advanced levels of education and experience.

In our newsletters we will be focusing on the new RI's that are joining REIBC, sharing with you their experiences, their communities, and their everyday lives. We welcome these new RI's into our community.

Help us welcome these two new RIs.

Calvin Hilde

My first stint with real estate was as a temporary property appraiser with BC Assessment, working with the residential team. After working for a little less than a year, I left to obtain my Master’s Degree in Physics at the University of Northern British Columbia. When my degree was completed, I returned to BC Assessment, this time working with the Industrial, Commercial and Investment (IC&I) team.

As part of the IC&I team I was responsible for the valuation of all multi-family rental properties in Northern British Columbia (North of 100 Mile House) as well as general commercial properties in various municipalities. I was also able to work on the valuation of other specific property types such as seniors housing properties, affordable housing and supportive housing properties. Earlier this year I moved into a new role as part of the internal BC Assessment team working on implementing new computer-assisted mass appraisal software.

Being able to work within the appraisal and real estate industry has allowed me to continue to grow both professionally and personally. This includes the ability to become a professional member with the Real Estate Institute of BC. There are many unique challenges that I have encountered working at BC Assessment related to customers, legislation, varied changes in local markets and unique properties. The variety of work and ability to take on these challenges keep me invested in the work that I do.

When I am not at work, I am active in the local Prince George music scene, playing in bands and attending shows. The past couple years I have been vacationing to various locations along the West coast including Alaska, Prince Rupert and Tofino.

Steve Walsh

I started my real estate career in London, England in 2008, managing portfolios of commercial property for the UK’s railway company (Network Rail). This involved doing appraisals, negotiating rent reviews and lease renewals and identifying and implementing property enhancement projects. During this time, I qualified as a professional member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, specializing in commercial property.

I had previously completed a Bachelor of Business in Property Valuation and Estate Agency at GMIT in Ireland and a Bachelor of Science in Estate Management at Northumbria University in England. I am a Candidate Member of the Appraisal Institute of Canada and I hope to obtain my AACI designation this year.

I have worked for TransLink since 2014 as Acquisitions and Leasing Manager. In this role I represent TransLink in the negotiation and execution of leases, acquisitions, expropriations and other real estate transactions for operations and major capital projects. I really enjoy the variety of work that the job involves, from renting office space for employees, to acquiring rights of way for SkyTrain station upgrades, to working on property acquisition cost estimates for capital projects and everything in between!

We have a fantastic Real Estate Operations team at TransLink which provides real estate support to all the departments within the enterprise. I find it very interesting working with all the stakeholders involved in making the projects happen and coming up with solutions to meet everyone’s property needs. It is particularly satisfying to see the finished product of the projects through the SkyTrain window on my commute.

Outside of work, I take full advantage of the activities that Vancouver’s special geography and climate has to offer. In the summer, I can often be found on one of the City’s many beautiful beaches or golf courses or skating the seawall with my partner Bel. In the winter you’ll find us snowboarding in Whistler or playing music at home.

Member News

Connie Fair, RI

Connie Fair was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in May in the Business & Professions category. Below is the explanation of the award and we would like to congratulate Connie on this honor.

Recognized nationally, the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards is our premier fundraising event, honouring extraordinary women leaders, while highlighting YWCA programs and services that improve the lives of thousands of people each year across Metro Vancouver.

The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards also honours businesses and organizations that support the wellness and diverse needs of their employees.

Business & The Professions

Connie is President and CEO of the Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA), one of BC’s largest statutory corporations. She is fulfilling her bold vision for BC’s property systems by transforming organizations using a customer-centric approach and leveraging technology. During Connie’s three years at the LTSA, the organization has achieved 97% satisfaction and 92% trust ratings with customers. She has overseen a technology build that will increase automation of property registrations from 50% to 70% of applications, one of the highest rates worldwide for a land registry. Connie also launched ParcelMap BC, an electronic map of over two million active titled parcels and surveyed Crown land parcels, and one of the world’s largest and most complex applications of survey-aware parcel fabric.

BC Land Summit Report

At the Westin Bayshore from May 8 – 10 nearly 800 delegates attended the BC Land Summit. By all accounts the conference was a success. There were many notable sessions and highlights from the event. The Summit opened strong with a rich attendance at the conference Welcome Reception, allowing delegates and sponsors opportunity to socialize and network. The conference’s opening ceremonies commenced with thoughtful remarks from Lieutenant Governor, Janet Austin, who inspired attendees with sentiments of the impacts of climate change and the shared responsibility that humans have to protect the land and the planet overall. This message was echoed in an encouraging talk by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Sheila Watt-Cloutier. As the opening keynote presenter, Sheila spoke about healing through the power of land-based solutions and becoming more attuned with nature, an often overlooked topic, yet one that is vital to all.

Conference delegates were able to take in the Vancouver harbourfront with the convenience of a portable boxed lunch, again instilling conference themes of wellness, connection, and collaboration. In addition to on-site learnings, Thursday’s program provided delegates with an opportunity to explore outside of traditional conference walls with a series of mobile workshops including a tour of Oakridge Town Centre, Models of Social Purpose Real Estate, and a Walking Spirit Trail.

After a short break, delegates reconvened for an evening gala reception in the grand foyer, followed by a plated dinner and entertainment from comedian and impersonator, Mark Critch. Mark successfully wrapped up the day with his humorous insights into Canada’s land, political climate, and “lava lamps.”

Friday’s keynote address was presented by Harvard University’s Professor of Economics, Edward Glaeser. Edward explored the shaping of cities through technology and the learning, connecting, and collaborating that takes place in large urban centres. Edward’s talk also identified the relationship between happiness and population, as well as successful city building. After this information-packed session, delegates were provided an opportunity to network before heading out to morning sessions about cemeteries and climate action and deep dive presentations on bioregional food system planning, the land development process, and the numbers behind housing affordability.

REIBC would like to thank all of the organizers for their hard work and to the number of presenters who shared their insights with the delegates. Particular thanks go to the REIBC group that did the deep dive session on Development. Thank you to Perry Stanicia, RI, Jim McIntyre, Nathan Worbets, RI, Sandra Cawley RI, Peter Kreuk, Lester Chow and Mandy Hansen RI for doing a great job on how a development works.

From left to right: Peter Kreuk, Perry Stanicia, Mandy Hansen, Sandra Cawley, Nathan Worbets & Lester Chow

Upcoming Events

REIBC Member Recognition - Kelowna
12:00 PM, June 4, 2019
Register here

REIBC Member Recognition - Kamloops
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Williams Lake
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - New Westminster
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Langley
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Fort St. John
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Courtenay
12:00 PM, June 5, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Cranbrook
12:00 PM, June 6, 2019
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REIBC Member Recognition - Prince George
June 10, 2019, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
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REIBC Member Recognition - Nanaimo
12:00 PM, June 11, 2019
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REIBC Charity Golf Tournament

The 26th Annual REIBC Charity Golf Tournament is taking place on Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 and we're excited that we're once again at the Richmond Country Club, located at 9100 Steveston Highway, Richmond.

Register here or check out some great sponsorship opportunities here.

Please contact the office at 1-800-667-2166 or 604-685-3702 ext. 104 if you would like to donate for the live or silent auction!

All monies raised at the REIBC Charity Golf Tournament go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to give the gift of a wish to kids facing life threatening illness. Click here to read a heartwarming story of Avery, 4, who suffers from cancer. Avery's wish was to visit LegoLand!

Job Postings

Property Valuator - Negotiator - City of Coquitlam

Senior Real Estate Manager - TELUS

Manager, Real Estate - The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

TL Property Management Agent - FTT (approx. 1 year) - Translink